from STEVE MORAN in Hong Kongwww.racingvictoria.net.auJet-setting and in-form Melbourne jockey Craig Williams declared that Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden was 'ready to go' in Sunday's $1.7 million Hong Kong International Vase after partnering the horse in his final serious gallop at Sha Tin on Tuesday.'He's in great order. He really lengthened well at the close of his work and the thing that pleased me most was that he recovered well and quickly from the gallop,' said Williams who missed the Melb

from STEVE MORAN in Hong Kong

www.racingvictoria.net.au

Jet-setting and in-form Melbourne jockey Craig Williams declared that Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden was 'ready to go' in Sunday's $1.7 million Hong Kong International Vase after partnering the horse in his final serious gallop at Sha Tin on Tuesday.

'He's in great order. He really lengthened well at the close of his work and the thing that pleased me most was that he recovered well and quickly from the gallop,' said Williams who missed the Melbourne Cup ride through suspension but had won the Geelong Cup on the Mikel Delzangles trained five-year-old.

'I've ridden him four times now, in his work, and I know him. He's not jaded. Not on the way that he went this morning. That was his main gallop and I was more than happy with him. I spoke to Mikel, he's happy and all's good,' Williams said. Dunaden ran the last 400m of his 1200m workout in 22.5 seconds.

Williams is back aboard Dunaden with his Cup winning jockey Christophe Lemaire committed to ride Vadamar for the Aga Khan and Alain de Royer-Dupre.

Dunaden, like Americain the year before, won the Melbourne Cup with 54.5 kg after success at Geelong and their paths continue to mimick each other. Americain progressed to the Vase and finished three lengths third behind Mastery and Redwood with the latter, trained by Charlie Hills, contesting the race again this year.

Americain's cause was not aided by a moderate pace and Williams conceded that could again be an issue for Dunaden. 'You'd like a genuine tempo but on the other hand he sat back and picked them up at Geelong and the pace wasn't breakneck in the Melbourne Cup,' he said.

Red Cadeaux, beaten millimetres behind Dunaden at Flemington, is also progressing well towards the Vase. "Everything has gone well since Melbourne and he's at his racing weight. He has just been tootling along, but we'll probably give him a decent gallop on Wednesday or Thursday,' said Robin Trevor-Jones, assistant to trainer Ed Dunlop.

The Vase has been dominated by the Europeans. Since 1994, 14 winners and 16 placegetters have emerged from Great Britain and France - with the latter nation leading eight to six on the tally of winners.

This year's event looks to have a number of chances with no standout. These look to be the other key runners: -

Trailblazer - Japan. The only Japanese win came with Stay Gold in 2001 but Trailblazer was a more than competitive fourth behind Buena Vista in the Japan Cup on 27 November and, unlike the Japanese sprinters Curren Chan and Pas De Trois, he had a trouble free trip to Hong Kong.

Jakkalberry - Great Britain. Trained by the Newmarket based Italian Marco Botti. He came from last to run fifth in the race last year and his recent form in Italy has been sound.

Silver Pond - France. Might be best placed if the ground is soft (only usually the case at Sha Tin if there is rain on the day) but can't be ruled out after a midfield finish (8th) in the Arc.

Campanologist - UAE. Has won successive Group 1 races at the distance in Germany and Italy albeit not against stellar opposition. Ran 16th in American's Melbourne Cup.

Redwood - Great Britain. Runner-up last year and also runner-up to So You Think's conqueror Rewilding in the Dubai Sheema Classic.

Thumps Up - Hong Kong. Untried at the trip but Caspar Fownes says he's 'spot on' and his win at 2000m on 20 November was excellent.

Sarah Lynx - France. Japan Cup effort bit better than it looks - after winning the Canadian International with Redwood seventh behind her.

Vadmar - France. Has the right trainer in Monsieur de Royer-Dupre and could become the third French 3YO winner.